Three UK travellers diagnosed with Zika virus

As of December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reported evidence of transmission of the virus in at least 45 countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific islands.

Although microcephaly has not been definitively connected with Zika, experts believe there is a link, as the virus has been found in brain tissue and amniotic fluid from babies who were born with microcephaly or died in the womb. “That’s why pregnant women and women who are considering pregnancy should delay planned travel to areas where Zika virus outbreaks are ongoing”.

So far, there is no specific antiviral treatment for Zika virus, and no vaccine or drug could prevent Zika virus infection.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also expanded its previous warnings to pregnant women advising them to avoid travel to where the virus has been confirmed. Although scientists are not certain that Zika virus is the cause, the CDC has described the link as “suggestive of a possible relationship”.

The virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same mosquito which transmits dengue fever.

Last week, USA health authorities confirmed the birth of a baby with microcephaly in Hawaii to a mother who was infected with the Zika virus while visiting Brazil past year.

The announcement by the Rio authorities comes amidst growing attention around the world over the large number of cases of Zika in the Americas.

The Zika virus is usually relatively mild, with symptoms such as skin rash, fever, muscle and joint pain, lasting up to seven days.

There have been travel-related cases of Zika virus reported in Canada in returned travellers from countries where the virus is known to circulate.

In the meantime, the only way for people to protect themselves is to avoid mosquito bites by using repellent, wearing protective clothing and staying indoors.

The CDC updated its travel alert on Friday to 22 countries and regions, adding Barbados, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, Guyana, Cape Verde, and Samoa. Of the 42 people with Guillain-Barre syndrome, 26 had a history of symptoms that suggested a Zika virus infection. Officials said in a statement that one of the three patients is fully recovered and the two others are recovering without complications.

The Zika virus was first detected in Uganda in a sentinel rhesus monkey.